Sponging apparatus.



M. BRAUN. sromme APPARATUS.

APPLIOATIOK FILED MAY 18. 1912.

Patented Nov. 12,1912.

:i-i iiiii ii -1.

wmuassss mvemon ATTORNEYS uuLuMBIA PLANOGRAPH (20.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

MARK BRAUN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPON GIN G APPARATUS.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

Application filed May 18, 1912. Serial No. 698,308.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, MARK BRAUN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Sponging Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

his invention relates to sponging apparatus for tailors, and my invention aims to provide :-First, a simple and inexpensive apparatus that can be advantageously employed by tailors and cleaners or economically and expeditiously sponging cloth or cloth in the form of garments. Second, a novel apparatus for subjecting cloth or garments to the action of steam that cleanses and drys a garment or prepares a piece of cloth whereby it can be made into a garment. Third, a sponging apparatus that obviates the necessity of a small customer depending upon a sponger in order to obtain cloth suitable for garments. Fourth, a strong and durable apparatus of the above type that can be safely used for the purposes for which it is intended.

My invention further aims to accomplish the above results by an apparatus that permits of various kinds and forms of garments being sponged. The apparatus will be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed, and reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein is illustrated in vertical section an apparatus in accordance with this invention.

A sponging apparatus in accordance with this invention embodies a boilerv 1 in the form of a cylindrical receptacle made of copper or other suitable material and provided with a rounded cover 2 that has a nipple 3 concentrically thereof. The cover 2 has a filling opening normally closed by a plug 4, and said receptacle is filled with water, the quantity of water within the receptacle being determined by a water glass or gage 5 arranged at one side of the receptacle.

The nipple 3 has an integral transverse partition 6 constituting a valve body. The partition 6 has a recess 7 and vertically alining steam outlet openings 8 in commu nication with said recess and the boiler 1. The recess 7 is cylindrical and the walls thereof are screw threaded, as at 9 for a screw threaded valve stem 10 that has a head 11 and an opening 12, said opening adapted to register with the openings 8. The valve stem 10 is employed to control the passage of steam from the boiler through the openings 8.

The partition 6 has an angle port 13 and tapped into said port is an alarm or indicating device in the form of a valvular whistle 14 that serves as a blow-off or safety valve. An excessive pressure of steam within the boiler 1 causes the valvular whistle 141 to produce a sound that will attract the attention of a tailor or other artisan and indicate that the apparatus is in condition for sponging.

The nipple 3 has a steam outlet pipe 15 provided with a valve 16 and a hose or flexible connection 17, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

Screwed or otherwise mounted in ple 13 is a perforated sponging cylinder or foraminous body 18 that has a horizontal perforated partition 19 in proximity to the upper end thereof, said partition pro-vidin a compartment 20 in the upper end of the cylinder.

Screwed in the upper end of the cylinder 18 is a cap or plug 21 that closes the compartment 20.

In operation a piece of cloth 22 is wound upon the sponging cylinder 18 and when the valve stem 10 is opened, the steam passes into the cylinder and through the perforations thereof, the steam sponging and thoroughly drying the clot Small pieces of garments can be placed in the compartment 20 and steamed as though held by the exterior surface of the cylinder.

Any suitable burner or other source of heat can be utilized for heating the contents of the boiler 1.

While in the drawing there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is A sponging apparatus comprising a boiler provlded with a vertically extending nipple. a transverse partition arranged within and integral with said nipple intermediate its the nipin said partition for closing communication between the upper and loWer portions of the nipple, a vertically disposed perforated cylindrical member having its lower end extending and opening into the upper portion of said nipple, a perforated partition arranged Within said member, and a cap for 10 closing the upper end of said member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

MARK BRAUN.

Witnesses MAX H. SRoLovrrz, K. H. BUTLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

